Arsenal 3 Stoke 1: Ramsey sends Gunners top of the table after yet another strike sinks battling Potters

Arsenal's record signing Mesut Ozil continued to repay his £43million transfer fee with a hat-trick of assists as the Gunners moved to the top of the Barclays Premier League after a win over Stoke at the Emirates Stadium.

Ozil, signed from Real Madrid on deadline day, had a hand in three of Arsenal's goals as Arsene Wenger's men finally ended the resistance of Mark Hughes' well-organised team.

Aaron Ramsey smashed in his seventh goal of an impressive season so far after Ozil's fifth-minute free-kick was parried by Asmir Begovic, but Geoff Cameron swept in a deserved equaliser for the visitors.

Top of the league: Aaron Ramsey celebrates his goal that helped send Arsenal top

Match facts

Arsenal (4-3-2-1): Szczesny 6; Sagna 7, Mertesacker 7, Koscielny 7, Gibbs 7; Flamini 8, Wilshere 6 (Monreal 73), Ramsey 7; Gnabry 5 (Ryo 73), Ozil 8 (Arteta 81); Giroud 6.
Subs not used: Vermaelen, Viviano, Bendtner, Jenkinson
Stoke (4-3-2-1): Begovic 5; Cameron 6, Shawcross 6, Huth 6, Pieters  5 (Palacios 67); Wilson 6, N'Zonzi 6, Adam 6 (Ireland 59, 5); Walters 5, Arnautovic 6; Jones 6 (Pennant 75).
Subs not used: Whelan, Crouch, Etherington, Crouch, Sorensen

Referee: Mike Dean
Man of the match: Ozil

Ozil's class, though, proved the difference again as his corner was flicked home by compatriot Per Mertesacker to give Arsenal the lead again before half-time and another pin-point deadball delivery made sure of all three points when Bacary Sagna looped in a header on 72 minutes.

Arsenal have responded with seven straight wins since they were beaten 3-1 at home by Aston Villa on the opening day of the season - and if Ozil continues his impressive displays, Wenger's squad could just be set for a long-overdue sustained assault on the Premier League title.

Wenger was forced into a late change to his starting XI when England forward Theo Walcott suffered a minor abdominal strain during the warm-up and was replaced by German youngster Serge Gnabry.

Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner was on the bench for the first time this season, having seen a move away during the transfer window blocked.
It did not take long for Ozil to have an impact, as his 20-yard curling free-kick was parried out by Begovic - and Ramsey was first to the loose ball to slot home.

In the goals: Aaron Ramsey celebrates with teammates after scoring against Stoke

In a good run of form: Ramsey celebrates his good goalscoring start to the season

Ramsey wheeled away in delight, his finger to his lips in front of the Stoke fans, some of whom are always quick to remind the Wales midfielder of a double-leg break suffered in a tackle from Potters defender Ryan Shawcross at the Britannia Stadium in February 2010.

For his part Shawcross continued to be roundly booed by sections of the home crowd every time he was on the ball.
To their credit, Stoke slowly grew into the match and were level on 26 minutes.

Back in it: Charlie Adam celebrates on the shoulders of goalscorer Geoff Cameron after Stoke make it 1-1

Good strike: Cameron draws Stoke level with his first half strike

Arsenal's defence were caught square by a deep ball through the penalty area from Steven Nzonzi on the right and Marko Arnautovic crashed his volley against the base of the far post.

The rebound fell back out to United States defender Cameron, who kept his effort low to beat Wojciech Szczesny's in the bottom right corner.
Arsenal were soon back on the offensive, and it was 2-1 on 36 minutes.

Heads up: Per Mertesacker jumps to head in a goal against Stoke to re-gain the lead for Arsenal

Back in front: Mertesacker is celebrates with Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny after his goal

Ozil's corner from the right was flicked on at the near post by Mertesacker. His header dropped inside the far corner where Laurent Koscielny had looked to get the final touch in front of the goalkeeper.

At the start of the second half, Gnabry - another German hoping to impress watching national-team manager Joachim Low - was flattened by Robert Huth as Arsenal broke quickly.

Referee Mike Dean played a good advantage as Olivier Giroud got clear to fire in a shot from 20 yards which was palmed over by Begovic before Huth was shown his due yellow card.

On the run: Mesut Ozil drives forward for Arsenal against Stoke

Beating his man: Olivier Giroud runs past a tackle Robert Huth

Off target: Giroud has his shot on goal rebound off Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross

Just after the hour, Ozil was played through into the right side of the penalty area by a knockdown from Jack Wilshere, but Begovic saved the German's low, angled drive.
At the other end, Szczesny showed he was still alert to push away a 20-yard shot from Marc Wilson.

Arsenal made sure of the three points and top-spot in the Premier League when, on 72 minutes, Ozil's deep free-kick was headed back over Begovic and into the far corner by defender Sagna.

Falling down: Jack Wilshere goes between Jonathan Walters and Geoff Cameron

Good feeling: Bacary Sagna celebrates with Giroud as he scores Arsenal's third goal

With the result safe, Wilshere - who had endured plenty of tough challenges all afternoon - was given a rest, replaced by Spain defender Nacho Monreal.

Ozil was substituted himself shortly afterwards, leaving to a standing ovation, as midfielder Mikel Arteta made his first appearance of the season after a thigh injury - and on this evidence, the German playmaker could well give Arsenal fans more to cheer about before the medals are handed out in May.